Convertible top interconnection

ABSTRACT

An interconnection for a convertible top cover of a marine craft includes cooperating integral members of the windshield and cover. The interconnection is shaped to prevent air pressureinduced disconnection of the interconnection.

United States Patent Brudy Nov. 27, 1973 [54] CONVERTIBLE TOPINTERCONNECTION 3,149,747 9/1964 Burgess; 220/ R r 3,311,406 3/1967Fritsch 296/91 Inventor: Peter Brudy w1llwdale- 3,122,394 2/1964 Brydon296/ R Ontari Can d 3,093,845 6/1963 Brock et a1. 296/120 R x [73]Assignee: Aqua-Marine Mfg. Limited, 52225 3 233 Toronto Ontano' Canada3:583:757 6/1971 Wi1fe1 t et a1 296/84 c [22] Filed: Apr. 24, 1972 [21]Appl. N0.: 246,866 Primary Examiner-Leo Friaglia AssistantExaminer-David M. Mitchell 2 Attorney-Sims and McBurney [30] ForeignApplication Priority Data Apr. 22, 1971 Great Britain 10,775/71 [57]ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 296/121, /6, 296/137 R Aninterconnection f aconvertible top cover f a [51] Int. Cl B60] 7/18 marine craft includescooperating integral members of [58] Fleld of Search 296/137 R, 120 A,the windshield and cover. The interconnection is 296/120 107, 121;220/60 82 shaped to prevent air pressure-induced disconnection R; 135/6of the interconnection.

[56] References Cited 4 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure UNITED STATES PATENTSLewis 135/6 1 CONVERTIBLE TOP INTERCONNECTION This invention relates toan interconnection of a retractable or removable flexible cover with awindshield, especially the windshield of a marine pleasure craft.

In US. Pat. No. 3,122,394 there is described a typical prior artinterconnection, in which the flexible cover assembly is wedged betweena windshield extrusion and the windshield itself. Usually the extrusionis metallic, and extends across the width of the windshield. The use ofpleasure craft including this prior art system in exposed climaticconditions may hinder proper functioning of the interlock, due to thediffering coefficients of thermal expansion of the varying materialsinvolved in forming the interlock.

The'present invention seeks to overcome this defect by providing a novelinterconnection which comprises a rigid extrusion secured to andextending substantially the width of the windshield and a flexibleextrusion which receives the rigid extrusion in releasableinterconnecting relationship.

The invention is illustrated by way of example with reference to theaccompanying drawing, which is a cross-sectional view of one embodimentof the interconnection of the invention in the assembled position.

The interconnection is achieved between a windshield 12 and aconvertible top cover 14. The windshield 12 may be constructed from anyconvenient material, and in marine pleasure craft usually the windshieldis constructed of vinyl polymeric material. The convertible top cover 14similarly may be formed of any desired material. In marine pleasurecraft, the material is usually canvas or nylon. The cover 14 encloses acabin area of the marine craft and may protect the occupants of thecabin area from prevailing weather conditions. l

An elongated extrusion 16 extending substantially the width of thewindshield l2 and upwardly therefrom is affixed thereto in anyconvenient manner, such as by fastening pins 18. If it is desired,however, to provide an interconnection for a convertible top which doesnot extend the full width of the windshield, then an extrusion 16 needbe provided across the relevant width of the windshield 12. i i a i Theextrusion 16 is constructed of rigid material, such as a rigid plasticmaterial, or a corrosion resistant metallic material, such as brass.

The extrusion 16 has a cross sectional shape including a part circularupper or head portion 20 integrally connected with a base portionthereof 21 through a waist 22. The extrusion includes along the sidethereof facting the intended direction of motion of the pleasure craft achannel 24 defined by one side of the waist 22 and a projection 26spaced from the waist 22.

A cooperating flexible extrusion 28 is affixed to the leading edge ofthe convertible top coverin any convenient manner, such as by stitching,or the like, at 30. The extrusion 28 may be constructed of anyflexiblematerial, such as a flexible synthetic polymeric material.

The flexible extrusion 28 is formed with a channel 32 of substantiallythe mirror image cross sectional shape of the outer surface of headportion 20 of the extrusion 16, so that the extrusions may cooperate toform an interconnection. The flexible extrusion 28 in cross sectionincludes arms 34 and 36 which define the channel 32 and, in the lockedposition shown, project downwardly and terminate adjacent the waistportion 22, with the arm 34 projecting into the channel 24.

The channel 24 is dimensioned so that the arm 34 is readily receivedwithin the channel without subjecting the wall to compressive forces. Ifthis is not the case, there may exist a tendency, due to resilience ofthe arm, for the interconnection to be released.

The channel 32 may be dimensioned so that when the interconnection isassembled as shown, compressive forces are exerted on the head 20 by theflexible extrusion 28. It is preferred, however, to dimension thechannel 32 so that while a snug fit is achieved between the extrusions,only during assembly of the interconnection 10 by pushing the flexibleextrusion 28 onto the extrusion 16 causing deflection of the arms 34 and36 are any compressive forces exerted on the rigid extrusion 16 by theflexible extrusion 28.

As may be seen in the drawing, the projection 26 defining one side ofthe channel 24 overlaps the forward arm 34 of the flexible extrusion 28.The provision of the projection 26 in this overlapping relation providesan aerodynamic flow over outer surface of the flexible extrusion 28during motion of the marine craft, so that air pressure is preventedfrom building up under the arm 34, which otherwise may cause it to liftand disconnect the two extrusions. The projection 26 thereby constitutesan air deflection shield which controls the flow of air adjacent theinterconnection during forward motion of the craft. The provision of theaerodynamic flow over the outer surface of the flexible extrusion 28 maybe achieved in other manners.

It obviously is important to prevent release of the interlock duringmotion, especially when the craft is moving at high speed or when beingtowed by a motor vehicle. Hence, the provision of the projection 26overlapping the arm 34 is an important feature of the present invention.

Additionally, the interconnection 10 may be achieved or disconnectedreadily from the cabin area of the marine craft, in contrast to manyprior art interconnections of this type wherein it is necessary toconnect or disconnect the cover and the windshield from outside of thecraft.

Modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

What I claim is: 1

1. A passenger transporting device having a passenger compartment and aforward end, a windshield situated forwardly of said passengercompartment, a cover member for said passenger compartmentinterconnectable with said windshield, and interconnection meansconnecting said windshield and said cover,

said interconnection means comprising a first part connected. to saidwindshield and a second part connected to said cover, said first partincluding a first elongated rigid extrusion extending across at least aportion of the width of said windshield and projecting upwardly from andaffixed to the upper edge thereof, said extrusion having acrosssectional shape including a base portion affixed to said windshieldand a part circular head portion integrally connected to said baseportion through a waist portion,

said second part including a second elongated flexible extrusion affixedto the edge of said cover nearest said forward end and extending acrossat least a portion of the width of said cover coinciding with saidportion of the width of said windshield, said second extrusion having across-sectional shape including a pair of downwardly projecting armsdefining therebetween a part circular channel of complimentary shape tosaid head portion of said first extrusion, said arms surrounding,gripping and enclosing said head portion when said cover and windshieldare connected and terminating in said waist portion,

an air deflection shield integral with said base portion of said firstextrusion and positioned to control the flow of air adjacent saidinterconnection during forward motion of said device, said shielddeflecting air during said motion away from the lower extremity of theone of said pair of arms nearest said forward end, thereby inhibiting atendency of said second part to be disconnected from said first pair byair pressure on said one arm.

2. A marine craft having a passenger compartment and a forward end, awindshield situated forwardly of said base portion through a waistportion and a finger integral with and projecting from said base portionand defining a channel with the side of said waist portion nearest saidforward end,

said second part including a second elongated flexible extrusion affixedto the edge of said cover closest to said forward end and extendingacross at least a portion of the width of said windshield coincidingwith said portion of the width of said windshield, said second extrusionhaving a crosssectional shape including a pair of downwardly projectingarms defining therebetween a partcircular channel of complimentary shapeto said head portion of said first extrusion means, said armssurrounding, gripping and enclosing said head portion when said coverand windshield are connected and terminating in said waist portion,

the one of said two arms nearest said forward end terminating in saidfirst-mentioned channel in noncompressive fit therein whereby air isdirected over said second part away from the lower extremity of said onearm during forward motion of said craft.

3. The marine craft of claim 2 wherein said first extrusion extendingsubstantially across the width of said windshield and said secondextrusion extends coextensively with said first extrusion.

4. The marine craft of claim 2 wherein said windshield is positioned ina first plane at an angle to the horizontal rearwardly of said forwardend and said first extrusion extends in a second plane at an anglegreater than to said first plane towards said forward end.

1. A passenger transporting device having a passenger compartment and aforward end, a windshield situated forwardly of said passengercompartment, a cover member for said passenger compartmentinterconnectable with said windshield, and interconnection meansconnecting said windshield and said cover, said interconnection meanscomprising a first part connected to said windshield and a second partconnected to said cover, said first part including a first elongatedrigid extrusion extending across at least a portion of the width of saidwindshield and projecting upwardly from and affixed to the upper edgethereof, said extrusion having a cross-sectional shape including a baseportion affixed to said windshield and a part circular head portionintegrally connected to said base portion through a waist portion, saidsecond part including a second elongated flexible extrusion affixed tothe edge of said cover nearest said forward end and extending across atleast a portion of the width of said cover coinciding with said portionof the width of said windshield, said second extrusion having across-sectional shape including a pair of downwardly projecting armsdefining therebetween a part circular channel of complimentary shape tosaid head portion of said first extrusion, said arms surrounding,gripping and enclosing said head portion when Said cover and windshieldare connected and terminating in said waist portion, an air deflectionshield integral with said base portion of said first extrusion andpositioned to control the flow of air adjacent said interconnectionduring forward motion of said device, said shield deflecting air duringsaid motion away from the lower extremity of the one of said pair ofarms nearest said forward end, thereby inhibiting a tendency of saidsecond part to be disconnected from said first pair by air pressure onsaid one arm.
 2. A marine craft having a passenger compartment and aforward end, a windshield situated forwardly of said passengercompartment, a cover member for said passenger compartmentinterconnectable with said windshield, and interconnection meansconnecting said windshield and said cover, said interconnection meanscomprising a first part connected to said windshield and a second partconnected to said cover, said first part including a first rigidelongated extrusion extending across at least a portion of the width ofsaid windshield and projecting upwardly from the upper end thereof, saidextrusion having a cross-sectional shape including a base portionaffixed to said windshield, a part circular head portion integrallyconnected to said base portion through a waist portion and a fingerintegral with and projecting from said base portion and defining achannel with the side of said waist portion nearest said forward end,said second part including a second elongated flexible extrusion affixedto the edge of said cover closest to said forward end and extendingacross at least a portion of the width of said windshield coincidingwith said portion of the width of said windshield, said second extrusionhaving a cross-sectional shape including a pair of downwardly projectingarms defining therebetween a part-circular channel of complimentaryshape to said head portion of said first extrusion means, said armssurrounding, gripping and enclosing said head portion when said coverand windshield are connected and terminating in said waist portion, theone of said two arms nearest said forward end terminating in saidfirst-mentioned channel in non-compressive fit therein whereby air isdirected over said second part away from the lower extremity of said onearm during forward motion of said craft.
 3. The marine craft of claim 2wherein said first extrusion extending substantially across the width ofsaid windshield and said second extrusion extends co-extensively withsaid first extrusion.
 4. The marine craft of claim 2 wherein saidwindshield is positioned in a first plane at an angle to the horizontalrearwardly of said forward end and said first extrusion extends in asecond plane at an angle greater than 90* to said first plane towardssaid forward end.